The attorney-general-designate has been accused of racism, and has come under strong criticism from liberals, who say his conservative views make him unfit to be the country's top law enforcement officer.

Mr White, the first black person to be named to the Missouri high court, said he did not think Mr Ashcroft was racist. But he said Mr Ashcroft had made him out to be a "pro-criminal".

"But I believe the question for the Senate is whether these misrepresentations are consistent with fair play and justice that you all would require of the attorney-general."

'Outrage'

Mr White said he was most troubled by the lack of opportunity to respond to Mr Ashcroft's accusations at the time.

People are demonstrating in support and against Mr Ashcroft

He said: "While I don't think Senator Ashcroft is a racist, there was a lot of outrage about my nomination being rejected and particularly in the African-American community.

"And the reason for that outrage I believe is that when you have an African-American judge, African-Americans see that as one more step toward true equality."

On Wednesday Mr Ashcroft told the hearing he had acted properly in carrying out his duties.

He reiterated his charge that Mr White was soft on crime, noting in particular his opposition to the death sentence for a Missouri man who had killed a sheriff, two deputies and another sheriff's wife.

The Senate is split, 50-50, between Republicans and Democrats. Republican Dick Cheney will have the tie-breaking Senate vote once he is sworn in as vice-president on Saturday.

Meanwhile, senators questioning Mr Powell showed great deference, with Senator Jesse Helms and several of his committee colleagues referring to the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as "Mr Secretary" during the hearing.

Senator Joseph Biden called the retired general's four-and-a-half hour performance, without the benefit of notes, a "tour de force" - although his answers did contain a few factual errors.

When the nomination goes before the full Senate on Friday, correspondents say expectations are high of a unanimous vote, similar to that received by Madeleine Albright four years ago.